Audi Quattro Restomod Built on a B7 RS 4 With a V8 and Manual Transmission

[Source: Autocar]

What happens when you combine two iconic Audi performance cars? Mac Zaglewski of Audacious Automotive is about to find out. According to a story by Autocar, the British start-up company is coming out of the gates swinging by building a Ur-quattro with the heart and soul of the B7-generation RS 4. If we were ever going to insert the “Shut up and take my money” meme into an article, this would be the time.

At the heart of the project is Zaglewski, a sculptor and classic car restorer with a clear vision, to build the Quattro as it might have evolved if Audi had continued developing it. Instead of sticking with the original turbocharged five-cylinder formula, Audacious is using the mechanical foundation of the B7 Audi RS 4. That means its naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8, chassis, and electronics are paired with a modernized Quattro-inspired body.

The Result

The result is a unique fusion of old and new. Zaglewski describes the project as answering a simple question: what would a modern Quattro feel like if it retained its analog soul? That philosophy explains key decisions, like sticking with a manual transmission and avoiding more modern platforms.

While performance isn’t the sole focus, the numbers this car generates are impressive. Thanks to a supercharger, output is expected to climb from the RS 4’s original 414 horsepower to at least 600 horsepower. Combine that with a weight reduction of over 250 kg (551 pounds) thanks to new steel, aluminum, or optional carbon-fiber bodywork, and the performance gains become significant.

Design plays an equally important role. Inspired by the wild Audi Sport Quattro S1, the new bodywork isn’t just for show. Every vent and duct serves a functional purpose, emphasizing engineering over aesthetics. Inside, the cabin will be thoroughly modernized with high-end materials like billet aluminum controls, blending craftsmanship with a purposeful, driver-focused layout.

Bringing the RS 4 platform and Quattro design together hasn’t been simple. The original Quattro’s shorter wheelbase required significant structural changes, making the engineering challenge as ambitious as the concept itself.

Each build will be individually commissioned, with prices starting around £350,000 (roughly $467,000) and that is before donor cars and taxes. When we said “shut up and take my money” we didn’t realize just how much was being taken. However, after learning all the details of the build we stand behind that stance.

Audi historians will be happy to hear that Audacious says it avoids using pristine original donor cars, instead restoring worn or neglected examples and giving them a second life.

In the end, this reborn Quattro isn’t just a restomod. It’s a bold reinterpretation of an icon, built for enthusiasts who crave raw, analog driving in a modern world.